Latest developments on United States Visas and Immigration Laws
"USCIS clarifies Public Charge inadmissibility rule for immigration applications."
Published: 08/18/2026
All aliens applying for a green card through the adjustment of status process must now pass an evaluation to determine whether they will ever become a public charge.
The new rule goes into effect on September 18, 2026. It splits applicants into two categories: those to whom the new process applies (like most family- and marriage-based cases) and those who are not subject to the new rule (like asylum seekers, SIJS, U-Visa/T-Visa, and VAWA applicants).
When USCIS decides that a specific applicant poses a risk of becoming a public charge, it will ask the applicant to post a "Public Charge Bond" as a financial guarantee to the U.S. government.
More details are available on the USCIS website at this link .
"USCIS announced major asylum application rule change"
Published: 07/27/2026
USCIS will refer all asylum applicants to immigration judges without the initial interview conducted previously. That major overhaul of the asylum processing system will shorten processing times.
The new rule for affirmative and defensive asylum applications goes into effect immediately and seeks to expedite processing of asylum cases due to a substantial backlog.
As of July 2026, the backlog of pending asylum applications in the United States is estimated at over 1.4 million for affirmative asylum applications and 3.2 million cases overall, according to data from the Federal Register and TRAC.
More details are available on the USCIS website at this link .
"DHS announced major changes to immigration rules following Supreme Court decisions."
Published: 06/25/2026
Asylum seekers can no longer apply for Asylum at the Mexican Border, as was the practice before. Only individuals residing in the United States can apply for Asylum moving forward.
The TPS (Temporary Protected Status) program for nationals of Haiti and Syria can be canceled - putting thousands of individuals under such protection into legal jeopardy.
More details are available on the Department of Homeland Security website at this link .
"USCIS announced major changes in the Adjustment of Status process."
Published: 05/22/2026
Effective immediately, USCIS will discontinue eligibility for the "Adjustment of Status" process in the USA for most groups of immigrants and temporary workers, as well as for visitors applying for a Green Card while residing in the country on a non-immigrant visa.
Non-immigrant aliens who wish to apply for permanent resident status (a Green Card) in the United States should return to their native country and apply through the "Consulate Processing" option instead.
While USCIS is shifting the processing of immigrant visas to US Consulates and Embassies abroad due to limited resources, it will still consider certain applications for "Adjustment of Status" within the USA, without requiring applicants in U-Visa and T-Visa cases to leave the USA.
"USCIS is implementing new enhanced vetting for all applications."
Published: 04/15/2026
In accordance with current laws and executive orders, USCIS is enhancing the application screening process by adding security and vetting steps for the majority of immigration applications, including those from high-risk countries.
New changes include expanded background, criminal, and social media checks. Plus, more technologically advanced biometric and photographic analysis systems are being placed in use.
Some applicants, especially from "High-Risk" countries, may experience delays in their application processing or even need additional evidence due to new changes.
"USCIS published a new edition of Form I-129."
Published: 03/11/2026
Effective as of April 1, 2026, USCIS will accept only the new edition of Form I-129 (Edition 02/27/26) for any non-immigrant worker visa petitions.
The previous edition of Form I-129 (01/20/25) will be accepted by/before March 31, 2026
The previous edition of Form I-129 (01/20/25) will be rejected for processing on or after April 1, 2026
"DHS changes H-1B worker visa selection process."
Published: 02/09/2026
The Department of Homeland Security is replacing the previously used, long-standing "H-1B lottery" randomized process with a new one .
According to the new H-1B visa selection process for 2027, the agency will prioritize foreign workers with higher skills and earnings, without negatively impacting the US-based workforce.
Another critical change regarding alien workers under the H-1B program is that now US employers need to pay $100,000 to sponsor a foreigner to work in the United States.
"United States to suspend immigrant visa applications for 75 countries."
Published: 01/16/2026
Effective January 21, 2026, the US Immigration Authorities will suspend processing of any immigration petitions, also known as "Green Card" applications, from citizens of countries that appear to rely on various welfare programs in the United States.
The affected countries are in Latin America, with the largest by population, Brazil and Colombia; many Eastern European countries, including Russia and Kazakhstan; Asian countries like Thailand and Burma; Middle Eastern countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan; Caribbean nations like Jamaica and Haiti; and African nations like Nigeria and Somalia. The complete list is available on the US Department of State website.
Note: this change doesn't apply to non-immigrant visas, such as visitor, student, or work visas for foreigners.
"H-1B and H-4 Visa applicants need to pass extended screening."
Published: 12/08/2025
The US Department of State will expand the screening process to include online and social media activity for applicants for H-1B visas and their dependents under H-4 visas for spouses and children.
The new requirements apply to citizens of all nations and are intended to identify individuals who pose security risks to the United States or public safety of US citizens.
Previously, similar requirements were issued for F-1 and M-1 Student visa holders and Exchange visitors under the J-1 visa program.